The Civil Alliance and four opposition parties on April 5 met for opinion exchanges in the Diet building and agreed to increase collaboration on the pressing issues of scrapping the “conspiracy bill” and uncovering the facts behind the “Moritomo Gakuen” scandal.

The Japanese Communist Party and three other opposition parties confirmed their similar stances regarding policies on childrearing, employment, social security, and a “zero-nuclear” power Japan, in addition to the abolition of the national security legislation, retraction of the Cabinet decision lifting the ban on Japan’s use of the collective self-defense right, and restoration of constitutionalism.

The Civil Alliance which consists of various antiwar groups welcomed the policy direction the four opposition parties affirmed, and said that it is basically the same as the policy direction the alliance aims to realize.

JCP Secretariat Head Koike Akira at the joint press conference following the meeting said, “The task which lies ahead us is to build up common policies based on the direction we agreed upon today.” Koike also said, “The JCP hopes that the opposition parties will work together also on the issues of scrapping the ‘conspiracy bill’ and uncovering the full truth behind the ‘Moritomo Gakuen’ scandal.”

Regarding future policies, Koike said, “We also hope that united efforts between the opposition parties and concerned citizens will drive the ruling parties and their supporting forces into a minority in the Diet in the coming general election. In that sense, the policy direction we confirmed today is of major significance.”

Democratic Party Secretary General Noda Yoshihiko said, “The DP will continue in its efforts to bring down the Abe government in close coordination with other opposition parties and citizens’ organizations.”